crvz's hole in the wall - Page 4

crvz · 01/01/2010, 04:15 PM

Nah, just oak plywood. I plan on painting them anyways. Still need a few touch-ups to go on them, but they'll work. I needed a place to put a bunch of this stuff... amazing how it accumulates. And indeed, the tank is still holding water, but it sure is filling slowly!

crvz · 01/02/2010, 09:09 PM

Went and got the few things I still call my reef this morning (thanks again, Clint). I've got everything in the garage, and I pulled out my new underwater camera for a few shots. I still need to figure it out a bit, but so far I like it.

And some critter pictures.

This image gives me hope for the potential of the camera more than any of the others.

mixer911 · 01/02/2010, 09:18 PM

That's great you got a little reef again

. That camera takes some good pics.

Dejavu · 01/02/2010, 09:38 PM

Things look to be moving along nicely

.

gotfrogs · 01/02/2010, 10:13 PM

Not a problem, I am glad that I could help you out.
How did you mount the controller? It's position scares me. I am envisioning it falling into the tank.

MeuserReef · 01/02/2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvz

"......the tank is still holding water, but it sure is filling slowly!"

*** Approx 15 hours later.... ***

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvz

Went and got the few things I still call my reef this morning

No messin' around I see!!! Pictures look promising from the new camera. I can envision some cool (underwater)shots popping up down the road on this thread. Cant wait!

Taqpol · 01/03/2010, 12:05 AM

Under water shots are so cool, I think it gives a much better representation of the true color.

maroun.c · 01/03/2010, 08:51 AM

Love the underwater pics...

mpoletti · 01/03/2010, 09:04 AM

Nice progress. So... whats next

crvz · 01/03/2010, 11:45 AM

Thanks for all the comments about the pictures/camera. I need to figure out better how the white balance works, and then see what kind of manual settings I can play around with. I have found out that turning on the macro mode is almost a must for those types of pictures, but otherwise I've barely spent any time on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotfrogs

How did you mount the controller? It's position scares me. I am envisioning it falling into the tank.

Some spit and glue.

Right now it's just with velcro. But I figure I have to use that whenever possible seeing as I work for the space program. And you're missing the point... if it falls in the water, then I can get an Apex!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpoletti

Nice progress. So... whats next

Ah, a great question. I believe the house is taking priority for a while, there are still a couple rooms to unbox, then hanging pictures and making it a bit more like home. On top of that, the convergence ICs in my older projection TV went out, so I've got that on the to-do list (although I ordered a new 52" LCD just in case, yesterday I pulled out the chips that I suspect broke and ordered another pair).

Tank wise, I'll just keep chugging away at getting the room together. I still have to find an HVAC solution that best fits the budget, put up a wall to segregate the tank stuff from the rest of the garage. I also still need to commit to a display tank, which I've yet to do. For those that havent put it together, all the pictures are from what I intend to use as a frag tank/QT tank once the display is running.

So, if everything falls into place, I may have something set up in the summer, but if it drags out beyond that I wouldnt be surprised.

gtaylor67 · 01/04/2010, 08:14 PM

Great progress... Keep taking those pics and you'll figure out what works best for you...

crvz · 01/06/2010, 06:21 PM

Gonna be cold tomorrow! With the tank in the garage, I have 400 watts of heaters going right now. I'll probably take the sump off line just to lose some of the water volume in case I'm loosing too much heat. Hopefully it will make it through. If I'm not too lazy, I'll snap a picture of the setup as it is right now. I added a sump and mounted a bunch of hardware.

MeuserReef · 01/07/2010, 10:45 AM

Chris, do you not think that the extra water volume would help hold the heat? Perhaps you could temporarily insulate the sump to keep the heat in rather than turning the return pump off. Just a thought.

crvz · 01/07/2010, 04:49 PM

lot of surface area and water flow in the sump, I think it would be better just to turn it offline.

crvz · 01/08/2010, 08:11 PM

I played around with the tank today to see what held temps better by putting the return pump on my controller. I was monitoring temp at work and ended up having to turn the sump offline to give the heaters more of a chance. The real test, I suppose, will be tonight. Supposed to get down to 20, and everything is pretty well un-insulated.

Also, here's the junk mounted on the wall. I just screwed a piece of plywood into a couple studs so that I would have a secure place to mount everything. It's a wired mess right now, but I'll clean it up as we go along.

And here's the overflow I installed on this tank. I just have a 1" drain and return, and it'll probably only support about 600gph or so, but it's fine for my needs.

psteeleb · 01/08/2010, 09:06 PM

looking good

crvz · 01/11/2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psteeleb

looking good

Thanks!

I added a bunch of live rock to the tank and placed frags on rocks instead of the light diffuser. I'd like the new display to be filled with colonies in lieu of frags, so I'll probably use this tank as a means of growing out corals before they make it to the display. And while I was screwing around, I grabbed the camera. I liked these two shots.

Purple people eater favia, which has colored up great over the last number of months.

and the dragon skin acan.

Leonardo_ · 01/11/2010, 12:37 PM

Very nice build Chris. Excellent photo's also.

Leonardo

crvz · 01/16/2010, 08:10 PM

Thanks, Leonardo!

Well a few things have decided themselves this weekend. First, I won't be using the 150 gallon tank for an in-wall display. Primarily because I sold it today. Also went with it was the sump pictured above, so I'm using a 30 gallon long for a sump right now. At the point, I have to a) decide what tank to use in-wall, and b) build a new sump. I think I'll make an unnecessarily large sump to handle a good amount of water flow, but I need to get some more acrylic before that happens.

Oh well, at least I have a little more cash on hand. I expect the old setup will get great use at it's new resting place, and maybe I'll even get to see it from time to time.

Taqpol · 01/16/2010, 08:59 PM

I thought you had already decided on one of the Marineland Deep Dimension tanks. A DD 300 perhaps?

crvz · 01/16/2010, 09:01 PM

They're a front runner, but until I pay for something it's anyone's guess.

gtaylor67 · 01/18/2010, 04:19 PM

I herd Marineland also make a couple larger models than the 300 DD< just have to get in touch with them......

rking77573 · 01/18/2010, 05:10 PM

Getting anxious to see a tank in that hole. I'm following along for sure.

camaroracer214 · 01/18/2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtaylor67

I herd Marineland also make a couple larger models than the 300 DD< just have to get in touch with them......

yeah, they'll make custom sizes. you just have to go through a marineland dealer to get it taken care of.

crvz · 01/19/2010, 09:13 PM

these need to grow more quickly.

01/01/2010, 04:15 PM	#76
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Nah, just oak plywood. I plan on painting them anyways. Still need a few touch-ups to go on them, but they'll work. I needed a place to put a bunch of this stuff... amazing how it accumulates. And indeed, the tank is still holding water, but it sure is filling slowly! __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/02/2010, 09:09 PM	#77
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Went and got the few things I still call my reef this morning (thanks again, Clint). I've got everything in the garage, and I pulled out my new underwater camera for a few shots. I still need to figure it out a bit, but so far I like it. And some critter pictures. This image gives me hope for the potential of the camera more than any of the others. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/02/2010, 09:18 PM	#78
mixer911 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,566	That's great you got a little reef again . That camera takes some good pics. __________________ Rick --::-- Baffleless Sump Club Shallow Reef Club Rimless Aquarium Club Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000

01/02/2010, 09:38 PM	#79
Dejavu ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,423	Things look to be moving along nicely . __________________ Brian June 2013 TOTM Current Tank Info: 270 Starphire by Miracles in GlassBK 250 InternalSequence Blackfin 1800(2) 6105 Tunzes Streams(3) 400 watt Blueline E-Ballast400w 20k Radiums(3) Lumanarc IIIGEO 624 Ca ReactorTunze OsmolotorPM SR45 and TLF PhosBan Reactor 150Apex

01/03/2010, 12:05 AM	#82
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,205	Under water shots are so cool, I think it gives a much better representation of the true color. __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

01/02/2010, 10:13 PM	#80
gotfrogs Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dickinson, TX Posts: 1,215	Not a problem, I am glad that I could help you out. How did you mount the controller? It's position scares me. I am envisioning it falling into the tank.

01/03/2010, 08:51 AM	#83
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Love the underwater pics... __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

01/03/2010, 09:04 AM	#84
mpoletti You'll never walk alone Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 18,245	Nice progress. So... whats next __________________ -Mark a.) I believe... The curse is a reality b.) Fish poop is your friend c.) Why chase numbers? #CoralsLiketoDisco #ReefSerenity

01/04/2010, 08:14 PM	#86
gtaylor67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 151	Great progress... Keep taking those pics and you'll figure out what works best for you...

01/06/2010, 06:21 PM	#87
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Gonna be cold tomorrow! With the tank in the garage, I have 400 watts of heaters going right now. I'll probably take the sump off line just to lose some of the water volume in case I'm loosing too much heat. Hopefully it will make it through. If I'm not too lazy, I'll snap a picture of the setup as it is right now. I added a sump and mounted a bunch of hardware. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/07/2010, 10:45 AM	#88
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	Chris, do you not think that the extra water volume would help hold the heat? Perhaps you could temporarily insulate the sump to keep the heat in rather than turning the return pump off. Just a thought. __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless

01/07/2010, 04:49 PM	#89
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	lot of surface area and water flow in the sump, I think it would be better just to turn it offline. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/08/2010, 08:11 PM	#90
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I played around with the tank today to see what held temps better by putting the return pump on my controller. I was monitoring temp at work and ended up having to turn the sump offline to give the heaters more of a chance. The real test, I suppose, will be tonight. Supposed to get down to 20, and everything is pretty well un-insulated. Also, here's the junk mounted on the wall. I just screwed a piece of plywood into a couple studs so that I would have a secure place to mount everything. It's a wired mess right now, but I'll clean it up as we go along. And here's the overflow I installed on this tank. I just have a 1" drain and return, and it'll probably only support about 600gph or so, but it's fine for my needs. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/08/2010, 09:06 PM	#91
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,249	looking good __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

01/11/2010, 12:37 PM	#93
Leonardo_ TRC Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,568	Very nice build Chris. Excellent photo's also. Leonardo __________________ 450G Office Reef

01/16/2010, 08:10 PM	#94
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Thanks, Leonardo! Well a few things have decided themselves this weekend. First, I won't be using the 150 gallon tank for an in-wall display. Primarily because I sold it today. Also went with it was the sump pictured above, so I'm using a 30 gallon long for a sump right now. At the point, I have to a) decide what tank to use in-wall, and b) build a new sump. I think I'll make an unnecessarily large sump to handle a good amount of water flow, but I need to get some more acrylic before that happens. Oh well, at least I have a little more cash on hand. I expect the old setup will get great use at it's new resting place, and maybe I'll even get to see it from time to time. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/16/2010, 08:59 PM	#95
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,205	I thought you had already decided on one of the Marineland Deep Dimension tanks. A DD 300 perhaps? __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

01/16/2010, 09:01 PM	#96
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	They're a front runner, but until I pay for something it's anyone's guess. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/18/2010, 04:19 PM	#97
gtaylor67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 151	I herd Marineland also make a couple larger models than the 300 DD< just have to get in touch with them......

01/18/2010, 05:10 PM	#98
rking77573 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: League City, TX Posts: 56	Getting anxious to see a tank in that hole. I'm following along for sure. __________________ Just another day in my little slice of paradise. Current Tank Info: 210 gallon in wall viewable from both sides

01/19/2010, 09:13 PM	#100
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	these need to grow more quickly. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?